Stiff-Person Syndrome

[Sarah]

Hi all,

I was hoping to get some input about a neurological disease I have recently become aware of called Stiff-Person Syndrome. I recently met a young woman who has this condition and upon her description of continuous muscle spams, I immediately thought of ideomotor therapy. Upon further research, it seems this condition is neurological and is related to elevated GAD levels. It is similar to an autoimmune disorder but affects the brain and spinal cord.

Here are some links:
http://www.emedicine.com/NEURO/topic353.htm

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stiffperson/stiffperson.htm

Has anyone heard of this or had any experience with this disorder? Do you think ideomotion would be possible and/or beneficial? The young woman I met is not a patient, but a classmate in my wellness course.

Sarah

[EricM]

Sarah,
I would suspect ideomotion would not be of any benefit in resolving the condition as the muscle spasms seem to be of pathological biochemistry rather an expression of the nonconscious will. At least thats my impression from the links you gave. Ideomotion would of course be helpful in resolving any complaints of mechanical neurogenic origin in the same individual.

[Erica]

Hi Sarah,
I have not heard of this but after reading the abstracts you posted maybe some other movement therapy, in addition to SC, would be helpful. Something along the lines of Somatics or Feldenkrais. With the muscle spasms that comes with this syndrome, this may help with some of those unconscious holding patterns.
Erica

[Crazy Pole]

Hi Sarah,

I worked with a lady approximately one year ago who has been suffering from this for many years. She is in her 60s and her orders were specifically for gait training. When she came to me, she was basically wheelchair bound. Even in that sense, she needed help in that if she would bend forward to pick up something from the floor, sometimes her spasms would kick in and she would fall out of her chair and hit her head.

She was interested in gaining some independence in her mobility. Ultimately, by using a bilateral platform walker, and with supervision at home, she was able to ambulate safely. This didn't necessarily resolve her chronic low back pain, but it may give some insight into prognosis for your friend.

Although I'm not terribly familiar with the syndrome, I also remain doubtful that ideomotion would be of significant benefit, given the syndrome's etiology. Knowing that the condition may progress to a point where her mobility is limited, goals towards achieving/maintaining wellness and independence (in mobility) may be more helpful.

Just some thoughts, all qualified with the condition that I may very well be very wrong.

Wes

P.S. Keep us updated on her status, as you can.

[nari]

I also think ideomotion would not be helpful, but it could be a useful complement to gait retraining; after all, there may be elements of nonconscious expression lurking....who really knows? The chronic LBP factor may well respond.


Nari